Chief Seattle's Speech Analysis

In his oration to Governor Stevens, Chief Seattle tries to persuade the whites into treating his people with more respect, even though his people are seen as inferior. Through his use of metaphors, religious ethos, and multiple allegories, Chief Seattle is able to show Governor Stevens that the Natives, although minimal in size and numbers, are not powerless.
It’s evident that Chief Seattle intended to acquire some respect from Governor Stevens in his opening words. He referred to Stevens as the “Good White Chief” and the whites as his “Paleface brothers” to emphasize the absence of hostility between groups and to recognize their superiority. Not only that, but also through the use of metaphors such as “their hearts are black,” when describing his own tribe, Chief Seattle develops the idea that his tribe should be held responsible for previous conflicts. By implying an apologetic, respectful and responsible tone, Chief Seattle gains a favorable opinion from Stevens in his opening.
About midway through his speech, however, Chief Seattle has a shift in view on their relationship. It goes from a relationship based on maintaining peace to the idea that a decent relationship between groups is rather unattainable. By promoting the idea that they are “two distinct races with separate origins and separate destinies,” Chief Seattle targets the

conflicting ideals of their religious ethos to develop this tone of segregation. He refers to their God as one that “loves your people and hates mine”, proving that, in no fault of their own, a bond between the two groups is physically impossible to obtain.
It wasn’t until the conclusion of his speech that one sees Chief Seattle's true purpose. By analyzing his words for their true meaning, one can quite evidently uncover a threatening tone toward Governor Stevens. One line in particular provides an easy to see representation of his view: “Your time of decay may be distant, but it will surely come, for even the white man whose God walked and talked with him as a friend with a friend, cannot exempt from the common destiny.” In the mind of Chief Seattle the Natives quite simply have nothing to lose, and they are willing to fight until their ultimate end for what they believe in. He knows that they are outnumbered and in that “these shores will swarm with the invisible dead of my tribe,” but what he also knows, and what he is beating into the skull of Governor Stevens is that “the dead are not powerless.”
By attaining respect, emphasizing differences, and portraying an intimidating threat, Chief Seattle highlights his resentment on the unfair treatment towards his people.

Despite his calm portrayal of the situation at hand, Chief Seattle has warned Governor Stevens of the power that his people possess in a distinct manner. His oration was so deeply filled with metaphors, religious ethos, and multiple allegories that his purpose was blatant to both readers of today and Governor Stevens, and Chief Seattle knows that Governor Stephens may take their land and their lives, but he will never take their pride or their will to

fight.